Cod with Tomato, Basil & Garlic Sauce – A Hearty Meal
Scott and I try to eat fish at least twice a week and cod is one of Scott’s favorite types of fish. During the summer, we’ll buy fresh fish at Wild Salmon Seafood Market at Fisherman’s Terminal in Seattle since we’re just five minutes away. This is one thing I am looking forward to about moving back to downtown Seattle (you can catch up on our latest blog here). When we are not at the boat, I try to find fresh wild cod from the grocery store, but it’s never quite the same.
Pacific cod is very dense and hearty, so you don’t need large portions. With this recipe, the flavor is all in the sauce. This is a perfect recipe for an elegant dinner party or for enjoying on your boat. It’s easy to make and delicious. It pairs great with herb noodles and asparagus, or you can pick your favorite sides too. Enjoy!
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Cod with Tomato, Basil & Garlic Sauce
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This hearty dish is full of flavor and perfect for entertaining. Pair it with noodles and a side of asparagus for a great meal.
Instructions
Heat oven to 200 degrees. Rinse cod and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat and add cod. Cook on each side about 4 minutes, until golden brown. (Cod will not be cooked thru). Transfer to a plate and keep warm in the oven.
Heat remaining olive oil in same skillet on medium heat and add garlic, cooking until it is golden, about 2 minutes. Be sure to not scorch the garlic. Add basil, lemon juice, lemon zest and dry white wine. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes until reduced by half. Add cherry tomatoes, sugar and crushed red pepper flakes.
Add cod back to the pan and cook on each side for about 3 minutes until cooked thru. Serve cod with tomato basil sauce on top.
Sunday Dinner – Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Growing up, my mom always made homemade spaghetti sauce from scratch. That’s partly because we didn’t have jarred sauce when I was a kid. With the fast pace of the 1990’s & early 2000’s, it seemed as if everyone started buying jarred sauce due to its’ convenience. I certainly did. Now, many retailers including Safeway and Whole Foods have a huge variety of jarred sauces.
However, over time, I started to notice that most of the jarred sauces lacked true flavor and in fact, were packed with sugar. That’s when I started making my own sauce and freezing batches of it. Instead of using sugar, I use a stevia sweetener from Pyure Organics.
You can certainly make homemade spaghetti sauce on a boat, as you just need one pot. Give yourself a few hours though, because it is best after it’s been cooking all day. What’s great about this recipe, is you can tweak it anyway you want. If you want it spicy, add some crushed red pepper. Want more zip? Add some more vinegar. Less tangy? Add some sugar.
When I make my sauce, I try it every half hour or so, to ensure I’m getting the final flavor I am looking for. This is a hearty dish that will satisfy any hungry boater or crowd! Please share with us your favorite homemade sauces. Enjoy!
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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
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Give yourself a few hours to allow the flavors to blend together. This is a very hearty sauce that everyone in your family will love.
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven on medium high heat and add beef and sausage, breaking up the chunks. Brown meat all over.
Lower heat to medium. Add celery, carrots, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender, but do not caramelize. Add tomato paste and red wine and cook for about 2-4 minutes, until slightly reduced.
Add whole tomatoes and break up with a wooden spoon to desired thickness & texture. Add vinegar and stevia & blend well. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Be sure to taste the sauce every half hour to ensure you get the flavor you want.
Serve with your favorite pasta noodles and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Chicken Tortilla Soup for a Cold Winter’s Day
There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of hot soup on a cold winter’s day and we love my chicken tortilla soup. It’s super easy to make and it doesn’t take long. This would be the perfect soup to make on a boat, as the cooking time is short and as a result it doesn’t create a lot of condensation in your cabin.
The cabin on our boat is small and so any type of heat we generate in the winter, quickly creates condensation on our hatches. If we crack them open, the rain gets in, so it’s a lose lose situation. That’s why I like to make recipes that don’t require a lot of cooking time. This chicken tortilla soup is hearty and a crowd favorite! Enjoy.
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Chicken Tortilla Soup
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This hearty soup is perfect on a cold day and easy to prepare on boat. Serve it with cheese quesadillas and everyone will be in heaven.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small jalepeno, diced and seeded I prefer to use fresno or red jalapenos
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp ancho chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1 12oz can petite diced tomatoes with chilies
- 1 medium cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 cup corn (frozen, fresh or canned)
- 1 12oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 48 oz chicken stock, low sodium
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 sm avocado, sliced
- sour cream
- tortilla chips
- cheddar cheese, shredded
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small jalepeno, diced and seeded I prefer to use fresno or red jalapenos
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp ancho chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1 12oz can petite diced tomatoes with chilies
- 1 medium cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 cup corn (frozen, fresh or canned)
- 1 12oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 48 oz chicken stock, low sodium
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 sm avocado, sliced
- sour cream
- tortilla chips
- cheddar cheese, shredded
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Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot and add onion, garlic, jalapeno and bell pepper. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add spices and salt & pepper. Add tomatoes, chicken, corn, black beans and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and return to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes. Be sure to taste the soup along the way and adjust spices to your preferences for spiciness.
Ladle into bowls and top soup with cilantro, green onions, avocado, sour cream and tortillas.
Chicken Chili for those tailgating nights!
White chili, also known as Chicken Chili is a favorite in our house. Now that Fall & Winter is arriving, who doesn’t love chili especially when watching your favorite football team? Chili is actually very easy to make on a boat in a small galley and it keeps for a few days for great leftovers.
While I love traditional chili, there’s something about Chicken Chili that is just as tasty and makes me feel like I’m eating healthier! Happy cooking!
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Chicken Chili
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This medium spicy chili is easy to make and a definite crowd pleaser. Even my husband, who only likes traditional chili loves this recipe!
Instructions
In a large pot, heat canola oil and add onion & jalapeno. Cook until tender under medium high heat. Add diced garlic and all of the spices and cook for about 2 minutes (do not let the garlic burn). Add 1/2 of the white kidney beans and smash them in the pot. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add corn, chicken, remaining white kidney beans and pinto beans. Simmer for about 25 minutes. If you want it thicker, add 1 tbsp. of water to the corn starch and mix thoroughly. Add to the chili, stirring to keep it from clumping.
Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro & crushed tortilla chips.
Recipe Notes
Since I don't like chopping onions & other veggies, especially on a boat, I use my Onion Chopper by Müeller
 . It works great, collects the onion in the bin (no mess and no tears) and the clean up is easy!
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Grilled Marinated Salmon Recipe
While we live in the PNW, it can be difficult to get fresh salmon. One of my favorite places to buy fresh fish is from a seafood store in Ballard at Fisherman’s Terminal , Wild Salmon Seafood Market. They truly have some of the best fish I have ever had. When Scott and I moved to Renton, we would make it a point to go into the city each month just to get fresh fish.
Why marinate salmon here in the PNW?
Well, when we can’t buy super fresh salmon, then I tend to marinate it. Scott is not a big fan of salmon, so marinating it makes it better for him. This recipe is easy to make and goes with so many different cuisines, ranging from Asian to American. Enjoy!
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Grilled Marinated Salmon
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This is a versatile marinade that you can use on salmon, chicken, pork or beef. Be sure to allow at least 2-3 hours to marinade for best results.
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix all ingredients except salmon. Rinse salmon and pat dry. (see note below). Place salmon in Ziplock bag and pour in marinade. Seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.
Pre-heat grill. We use a lava stone and we allow 15 minutes for the stone to heat up. Grill salmon flesh side down first for 5 minutes. Flip over and grill for an additional 5 minutes or until desired wellness. Serve immediately and garnish with lemon wedges.
Recipe Notes
If you are cooking on your boat and are not sure about your potable water, be sure to only rinse with bottled water or rinse at home ahead of time.
 . It works great, collects the onion in the bin (no mess and no tears) and the clean up is easy!